British QSR Leon shutters US locations

The company managed to keep only one American location open over the past 12 months, with volume down 85%, Leon USA president Glenn Edwards said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 17, 2021

Starbucks rolls out services to help visually impaired customers navigate US stores

Building on the chain's moves to improve accessibility, the tech provides diners with access to remote agents, who can describe store surroundings via phone.

By Julie Littman • March 16, 2021

Seattle 1 year later: Many restaurants are 'just holding water'

During the pandemic, downtown eateries are struggling to stay in business with no office workers to serve, while neighborhood spots find ways to appeal to the work-from-home crowd.

By Julie Littman , Thai Phi Le • March 15, 2021

Famous Dave's takes table service out of its next concept

The full-service restaurant is also exploring drive-thrus, which would add to its ever-growing portfolio that now includes ghost kitchens and smaller formats.

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2021

Walmart explores ghost kitchens

The retailer's Canadian division is testing the virtual food court concept at several locations that will have meals from brands like Quiznos, Saladworks, Taco del Mar and The Cheesecake Factory Bakery.

By Jeff Wells , Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2021

Sonic diners can now tip carhops through its app

The functionality, which CMO Lori Abou Habib said is a top request from customers, is available at 1,000 of the chain's 3,500 locations and will be available systemwide by the end of 2021. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 11, 2021

Starbucks' real-time alerts allow for disruption response in days, not weeks

This tool is part of the coffee chain's initiative to create a more agile and resilient supply chain, making it easier to solve operational and logistical emergencies.

By A.B. Brown • March 11, 2021

Waitr buys Florida-based Delivery Dudes for $23M

Th acquisition expands Waitr's footprint, especially in South Florida, and comes on the heels of its plans to diversify into more verticals including alcohol and cannabis delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 10, 2021

Red Robin diversifies with 3 delivery-only brands

CEO Paul Murphy confirmed the casual dining chain is rolling out Chicken Sammy's, The Wing Dept. and Fresh Set nationally. 

By Julie Littman • March 10, 2021

Uber Eats' head of product poached by Instacart

Daniel Danker is now the grocery delivery aggregator's VP of shopper and fulfillment, marking the second major leadership exit in the past week for Uber Eats.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 9, 2021

Chipotle adds quesadillas to digital menu

While the company has introduced one to two items each year, quesadillas mark the first time the chain has added a customizable entree in 17 years.  

By Julie Littman • March 9, 2021

CDC: On-site restaurant dining leads to increased rate of COVID-19 cases, deaths

The National Restaurant Association criticized the latest research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling it "an ill-informed attack on the industry hardest-hit by the pandemic." 

By Alicia Kelso • March 8, 2021

Wendy's hires its first diversity chief

Wendy's joins a slew of restaurant chains, including Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut, that have created diversity chief positions in a bid to improve company culture. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 8, 2021

Uber Eats' US and Canada head leaves after 6 months

Sarfraz Maredia, current leader of Uber's rides division in the U.S. and Canada, will take on the position vacated by Stephane Ficaja. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 8, 2021

Panda Express opens first ghost kitchen in San Francisco

The delivery-only location is Panda's initial step in offering faster dining solutions for off-premise guests, with plans to test more concepts this year. 

By Julie Littman • March 5, 2021

Applebee's launches ghost kitchen pilot in 3 cities

The ghost kitchens cropping up in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami are expected to help online delivery demand where the casual chain doesn't have a strong presence. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 4, 2021

Domino's, Papa John's sales soar on pandemic delivery demand, but complications loom

Both chains reported double-digit same-store sales growth last year, but delivery aggregators' growing market share could complicate strategies when pizza sales return to normal levels.

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Wendy's expects to reach 8K units globally by 2025

With a growing emphasis on nontraditional locations like drive-thru only units and dark kitchens, the QSR expects to open 250 stores globally in 2021. 

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Postmates' robotics division splits off, becomes Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics closed its first funding round and will continue to develop and operate autonomous delivery robots in urban markets as it pursues new partnerships. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 3, 2021

Chipotle to settle 2017 overtime dispute with $15M payout

Plaintiffs alleged Chipotle switched employees who were eligible for overtime back to "exempt" status while an injunction related to the The Fair Labor Standards Act, which expanded overtime rules, was in place.

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2021

Texas, Mississippi and Massachusetts reopen dining rooms at 100% capacity

The states cite a reduction in cases and hospitalization rates and increased access to vaccines as cause for removing restrictions, but a CDC official says it may be too soon. 

By Julie Littman • March 3, 2021

CFO of still-unprofitable DoorDash shares growth plans, investments

The takeout and delivery app with a 48% market monopoly is investing in food preparation robots, its subscription program and partnerships with commercial retailers, Prabir Adarkar said, after its first earnings report as a public company.

By Jane Thier • March 2, 2021

Shake Shack borrows $225M to support expansion plans

The funding will be used to aid opening additional units, new store formats and drive-thrus, as well as improvements to the digital guest experience and further investments in talent development. 

By Julie Littman • March 2, 2021

Bojangles’ largest franchisee plots 45-unit expansion

Operator Jeff Rigsby of BOJ of WNC will develop restaurants in his existing markets of Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee, as well as move into Columbus, Ohio.

By Julie Littman • March 2, 2021

McDonald's mulls partial sale of AI company Dynamic Yield

Following franchisee complaints, the fast food giant is evaluating the tech company's drive-thru performance and could sell the part that works with outside retailers.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated March 1, 2021